The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-12
FOR AND ABOUT WOMEN.

Charles Dudley Warner In the editors
Drawer" of Harper's Magazine, liz fond of
dealing little oblique blows against equal
rights for women. and this month he
breaks out again, in tho course Of an arti-
Gle written in praise of beautiful old ladies'.
Mr.. Warner processes himselivery weary
Of hearing about woman's mission, vet id
the same article he INDUCES himself in
definition of that iniSsion--a definition
poctical, indeed, but not altogether noyel.
lie saws
Women, whose mission il is to alluro
in youth and TO tinge the beginning OF the
world with romance, also makes Csc) the
end of the world more sercnely satisfac-
tory and beautiful than the outset. And
this has been done without any amend
ment 10 the constitution of the United
States; in fact it is possible that the six
teenth amendment would rather hinder
than help this gracious process"
Now, does any one seriously believe tllat
a beautiful girl would be unable "to allfrp
in youth and TO tingc the beginning of tho
world with romance" ii she took nm intcl-
iigcnt interest in the ntiiiirs Of her couf-
try, and were recognized us worthy Of
having her opinion counted? Perhaps the
objector would not press this point lie
would have 20 admit that while u woinnn
is young and charming Size could proba-
bly, perform her whole duty of "alluriw'
her susceptible fellow.crcaturrs and ling
ing their lives with romance. no matter
what her political status might bc. But II
il the gracious DrDccss' nj growing old
beautifully that MIR. Warner fears iniqIt
bc hindered by sixteenth amendment
IA lac unfortunately neglccis to Explain
hnkV IL ttotll H. hfpI..rt,a 500 ,,.,.sf
puzzle this o,it by ourselves. lot us con.
slider the reasons he mentioned Ms coIitrii,-
uting 10 make some old ladies 10 CHARM
ing, and see at which OF these attractions
the Sixteenth amendment would deal
deadly blow.
Mr.. Warner saws that their Interest In
life is broader than il once was" they
have got rid Of much nonsense" they
can afford TO be TRUTHFUL" 'thcy have a
most delicious courage OF opinion, about
men, say, and In politics." "thcy have
very little any longer 10 conceal" they
are not afraid 10 be gay and 10 have en-
thusiasms;" they are emancipated;"
they possess knowledge Of life, yes, and
OF affairs; for II must he said Of these
ladies We have In mind that they keep up
with the current thought; that they are
readers Of books, even Of newspapers"
II really is not easy 10 SEQ how any Of
these things would be hindered by lie
right TO vote, while some OF them would
evidently be helped by H. There is no
special virtue In disfranchiscment 10 make
anybody broad-minded, gay, free FROM
nonsense, rich in knowledge Of life aud oi
affairs, etc. And Is there not something
slightly absurd In the idea that n woman
of mature years. and oil these varied abili-
ties, would lose her charms hut for the law
which classes her with her own infant
grandchildren, with idiots and dementod
persons, criminals and other political non
compoton.E? We fear Mr.. Warner VIII
have TO do like the delightful old ladics,
and get rid oi much nonsense" beiorche
learns to take an intelligent view Of the
woman question.
AMCE SroNR BLACKWELL.